31 years with stickers!

Its 31 years today since I started at Secura Labels! See the full Linked in Here


15th February, is the anniversary of the day I first walked through the doors at Secura Labels. While 31 years may not be a regular anniversary to celebrate, and thanks for all the good wishes!, it does somehow feel a "milestone".

Back in 1988, I joined Secura at their Ashby factory, following 6 years as a coal miner. I took the number of employees to 7, and in those days it was truly was a family concern. David and Kay, David`s Father, Bernard, along with, Andrew, Peter, and another who`s name escapes me! Each day, 12.00 O`clock prompt lunch was always taken together, and always fish and chips on Friday!

Going back over the years, I have worked with 66 individuals, the shortest period 2 1/2 days, the longest 27 years and counting. Among these, and also among suppliers and customers, I have found lifelong friends, and count myself lucky to have worked with some great characters down the years! In the 31 years we have moved four times and the team has grown to 14 in total, but I hope we have maintained some of the "family" feel.

We have, in my time here, sometimes been at the forefront of technology! When I first joined, "artwork" was set with "letraset" & "linotype", and then posted out for approval, posted back once approved. It seemed then a good idea to invest in a fax machine, so we could fax "proofs" and have them faxed back, saving 2 -3 days..... the fax duly arrived - great - unfortunately few of our customers had faxes, it took around 5 weeks before we could actually use the machine for the purpose it was brought for! We also had Thermal Transfer long before many had even hear of it, still a main part of the business today.

We also have been instrumental in the growth of several competitors - Paul left to Form/Join Charnwood Label Craft, Andrew Davis to form Acre Labels (Jenacre) and Andrew Hough to form Trent Labels.

Over the years we have also helped others with Press advice, indeed OPM`s relationship with Nilpeter followed a day spent with us after we purchased our first Nilpeter F240. Chris Ellison, his Father and some of the OPM team spent the day putting the press through its "paces" - a day where we also learned a lot!

There have been some challenges during the 31 years, moves, change of ownership, along with the "daily" ones, but I still get up looking forward to each day, another 31? that would make me 86, so why not? With the continued backing of the "Board" and the "Team" here anything is possible!

(Those with good memories may be thinking, "its only a couple of years since his 25th?", I took a couple of weeks "broken" service to further my professional portfolio (selling sandwiches!) and on my return, had to "re-start")

Re:Cycle Valentines Ride 2019

Although a little damp, a small but perfectly formed group set off on our Re:Cycle Valentines Ride.

The past two years we have had to cancel this ride due to the weather, so we were quite happy to get out this year.

Coffee and cake where enjoyed at Mabel`s Cafe at Curborough.   

HS2 Cycle Path

Scrapped HS2 bike path 'five times better value than HS2 itself'

So, you drive to work, the ice and rain making the cycle option less attractive than usual!, listening to the impending doom on the radio of not reducing CO2 emissions, the fact that obesity, especially in the young, ought to be classed as a health epidemic, to then see that the proposed HS2 bike path, is to be scrapped! 

- Read more here 

Now, to me, it would not appear to be "rocket science" that the bike path could be massive in helping the two issues of emissions and obesity, and i can only see this as a massive opportunity missed.... looking at how to address would not seem easy, I have contacted our MP, HS2 and others, but get the feeling that this is one project that will be lost, saving, in the grand scheme, pennies, but letting pass an opportunity to improve health, reduce emissions and so much more to help all of our futures!

Just over ten years ago, I cycled across the Sinai Desert, rising funds for the British Heart Foundation, it was a great trip, one I often look back on, sleeping under the stars, climbing Mt Sinai to watch the sunrise........      

Back talking bikes and trying to get money off you -

So, back to blogger, as is usually the case, basically as I am fundraising again!

This time to help out Charlie & Freddie -    

Charlie and Freddie are aged 4 from Stone in Staffordshire. They made a surprise early arrival in 2014 born at 30 weeks gestation and spending the first 7 weeks of their lives in NICU.

Charlie was diagnosed with cerebral palsy (quadriplegic) soon after birth, while Freddie was diagnosed (diplegic) shortly before his 2nd birthday. Coming to terms with the prospect of having a disabled child is daunting but then the shock of having disabled twins was something we were not prepared for.

There is no cure for cerebral palsy but hopefully we can do everything we can to improve their lives now and in the future.

Freddie has recently been approved to have Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery at Alder Hey Children’s hospital and with your donations for Just4Children we can pay for additional physiotherapy to supplement the NHS sessions and buy equipment to use at home. We would also love to make adaptions to our home which will benefit both boys and make life easier.

Charlie and Freddie are such happy determined boys. We will not let cerebral palsy beat us.

You can sponsor me Here

More to follow, but please did deep and pop back to see how I am doing!